Page 3 of Hidden Heart

“Perhaps she hasn’t met the right man,” Royce stated in a flat voice. If she hadn’t given up on reading signals, she would have sworn there was promise in his deep-blue eyes.

“That’s probably right.” Alex checked his watch. “Well, kids, I gotta run.” He shoved away from the table and whipped his coat on. “Do you want to share a cab, Royce?”

“No thanks. I don’t live too far from here, maybe five blocks or so. I think I’ll hoof it while the weather holds out.”

“Fair enough. Jess, I’ll call you in the morning.” Alex leaned down and placed a chaste kiss on her cheek before waving to the rest of the group.

“Did he just stiff us with the bill?” Kelly watched him leave.

“No.” Jessica laughed. “He’d never do that. He’s going to stop at the front and pay the whole damn tab.” She reached behind her and slid her arms into the sleeves of her coat. “Tell me you’ve never noticed him do that.”

Alex earned more money than all of them combined. A fact, he found embarrassing and hated talking about it.

“I don’t know, guess I never paid attention.”

Jessica felt Royce watching her with fascination as she stood from the table, the coat conforming to her body perfectly.

“What?” She checked the floor around her. Had she had dropped or torn something?

“Nothing.” He shook his head, one corner of his mouth turned up in a grin. A little crease formed on the side of his lips. Damn, she liked that. The little wrinkle was one trademark of a sexy as hell smile.

“I’m going to head out. I’ll see you guys next Friday. Kelly, your pick, don’t forget. And please, nowhere crazy. I’m still surprised we didn’t all die from the hole in the wall you took us to last time.” Better to make a quick getaway before he did anything else to make her want to forget her pledge of single womanhood and jump in his lap.

“Hey, that Indian place was great.” Kelly pouted.

“Right. I’ll see you later.” Jessica waved to the group, then stepped to the side to allow Royce more room as he stood.

“It was very nice meeting everyone.” Royce nodded to the group, then turned to Jessica. “May I walk you to the door?”

She shrugged. No point getting her hopes up. “Sure. We’re both headed that way anyway.” She ignored Kelly’s scowl. She would call her later and beg for forgiveness. The last thing she wanted was to take away her friend’s hope, but Royce wasn’t the one. Kelly would have to keep hunting.

Jessica only noticed his presence when he reached in front of her to move a chair from blocking her way. She mumbled a thank you and started toward the door. Before she could open it, he reached past her and pushed the door open, letting in the sharp, cool air.

“Need a cab?” He raised his hand slightly, and she had no doubt several cabs would pull over the instant he did so. He had an air of authority about him, as though anything he commanded would simply happen. She’d met very few men who held themselves with such confidence.

“I walked. I’m only a few blocks away,” she stated as she buttoned her coat, holding her purse tightly between her arm and body.

“Which way?” he asked, dropping his hand.

“That way.” She pointed north and was rewarded with another grin displaying a small dimple on his right cheek. Dimples ranked right up there with the crease.

“Me too. Is it okay if I join you?” He slid his hands into his pockets.

She swallowed. “Sure. Why not.” A walk was harmless.

They walked in silence for the first block. Neither seemed to know what to say or how to begin a conversation. Jessica felt his eyes on her, but continued to look straight ahead. It had been a while since she spent this much time alone with a man—who wasn’t Alex.

Royce broke the silence by inquiring about her work. He gave her his full attention, asking questions when he didn’t understand something she said. He didn’t just nod and daydream like most men she’d dated. He was tasteful, she’d give him that.

She’d begun to relax by the time they made their way to her block. She kept her focus on him as he told her about his new position. He hadn’t been seeking an executive job when he’d applied with Alex’s company, but he seemed cautiously optimistic about the new job.

“You don’t seem the type to consider failure as an option.” She climbed onto the steps of her apartment building.

“Failure is always an option. Just not the best one.” He leaned against the railing, a step below her. Their positioning brought their eyes level. “I’m not concerned I won’t be a good fit for the position.”

“Ah, you’re not sure if the job is the right fit for you.” She glanced at the neighboring building where a couple walked down to the street together. The woman, a beautiful brunette, walked with a small, almost unnoticeable limp, as though she felt tender with her movements. The man walked behind her as a cab pulled to the curb, then skipped ahead, opening the door.

He slid his hand under her hair, cupping her head, and pulled her to his lips. They exchanged a passionate kiss, which he broke, causing her to frown in disappointment. He laid a hand on a pendant she wore around her neck and said something Jessica couldn’t make out. The woman’s lips spread in wide smile—raw joy—as though his words hugged her.

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